CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state House of Delegates passed a bill on to the Senate Monday that could lead to changes at four state-owned nursing homes.
The legislation would hire a consultant to examine the services and needs at Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, Jackie Withrow Hospital in Raleigh County, John Manchin, Sr. Health Center in Marion County and Lakin Hospital in Mason County.
Marion County Del. Mike Caputo (D-Marion) was strongly opposed to the bill, fearing what would happen to the facilities if they closed.
“If these were sold, what would be sold would be the beds of these facilities. And these beds could be located in the state of West Virginia,” said Caputo. “So don’t please, however you vote, don’t think for a second that if we allow the sale of one of these facilities that it would undoubtedly remain in your district, and some private entity would take it over.”
The legislation calls for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to contract with a consultant, at a cost of no more than $300,000, to consider selling, renovating and leasing those hospitals. House Finance Committee Chair Eric Nelson (R-Kanawha) said there was no reason not to conduct a study.
“Let’s look at these and let’s care about the patients and the employees,” said Nelson. “For once it will get something done within a time frame. But no, I hear fear, fear. Let’s get off our tails and do something that’s right. We can not continue to kick the tire down the road.”
Caputo didn’t think the legislation had good intentions, and was concerned that data could be fixed to close the facilities.
“Something smells bad about this legislation. There’s no question in my mind about it, I think someone’s mind is made up, and I think they want these places closed,” he said.
Nelson responded that the bill doesn’t necessarily say that the facilities would in fact close.
“This doesn’t say that things will be sold. It says that’s a possibility. It says it’s a possibility we could renovate. This doesn’t address any hospitals, this is for nursing homes.”
Any decision on the fate of the hospitals following a consultant’s review would have to be made in the form of additional legislation.
Nelson previously told lawmakers the four facilities employ 777 workers, have 443 beds and serve 262 clients or patients.